The hallowed halls of academia may have filled with a dizzying array of counter-culture fashion since the 1960s, but like its fellow fashion statement the corduroy jacket, the academic beard continues to hold fast to the faces of many an academic.

Dixson's study tested the responses of 200 modern women from
different ethnic backgrounds to pictures of a group of men with
beards, and the same men without beards.

The women said that they found the men more attractive when they
were clean shaven, but the findings also revealed bearded men were
thought of as more socially dominant.

Both men and women looking at the photos also said faces with
full beards looked older and angrier.
Dixson said the result stacks up against traditional theories
about beards, as it shows facial hair can make people look more
aggressive - a trait which would have traditionally been attractive
to partners.